Patents Examined by Philip S Kwon
  • Patent number: 8152233
    Abstract: A transfer bench and methods for using same to facilitate movement of a person into and out of an enclosure are disclosed. The transfer bench comprises a first seating section that at least partially lies in a horizontal plane. A second seating section rotatably coupled to the first seating section is configured to rotate between a generally horizontal position and a generally vertical position. Each seating section can be supported by one or more legs. The transfer bench can be positioned in the enclosure. A user sits on the second seating section, moves to the first seating section, and can rotate the second seating section to a vertical position such that the transfer bench is disposed within the enclosure. The enclosure may be a wet/dry environment and can be enclosed by means such as a shower curtain, door, or other enclosure means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Inventor: Brian J. Wechter
  • Patent number: 7841376
    Abstract: A window covering is disclosed that has a safety device that includes a first cord segment having stops spaced along the first cord segment, and a second cord segment having stops spaced along the second cord segment. The first cord segment and the second cord segment extend from respective end caps. The end caps are configured to connect to the ends of a bottom rail. A first anchor is connected to the first cord segment, and a second anchor is connected to the second cord segment. At least one of the first end cap and the first anchor is configured to releasably connect to the first cord segment at a selected stop on the first cord segment and at least one of the second anchor and the second end cap is configured to releasably connect to the second cord segment at a selected stop on the second cord segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Whole Space Industries Ltd.
    Inventor: Tzong Fu Lin
  • Patent number: 7784520
    Abstract: The safety shield is formed of an elongate L-shaped rail shield engaged to a vertical surface adjacent a vertical rail located within the interior of a garage door. An L-shaped panel shield is engaged to the interior of each garage door panel proximate to the vertical rail. The L-shaped panel shield is on the opposite side of the rail relative to the L-shaped rail shield. A generally U-shaped end covering shield may be integral or engaged to said L-shaped rail shield, where the L-shaped panel shields are positioned interior to the panel shield face side of the U-shaped end covering shield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Inventor: Rick Paulson
  • Patent number: 7748429
    Abstract: An adjustable patio cover and storm protection device capable of remote operation which acts as a security screen that prevents access through a doorway or window to which it is coupled, reduces the amount of light able to pass through the doorway or window, and also acts as a storm barricade when in its closed or down/vertical position, and which acts as an awning or sun shade that provides shade for the area in front of the door or window to which it is coupled when it is in its open or up/horizontal position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Inventors: Marie France Caire, Serge Venezia
  • Patent number: 7740044
    Abstract: The primary roller of an awning assembly has an internal cavity, an opening between the internal cavity and the exterior of the primary roller and a first arresting element. A first awning material is adapted to be unwound from the primary roller when the primary roller rotates in a first direction and wound onto the primary roller when the primary roller rotates in a second direction. A secondary roller is mounted for rotation within the internal cavity of the primary roller. One end of a second awning material attached to the secondary roller extends through the opening in the primary roller. A second arresting element is attached to the one end of the second awning material and is adapted to engage the first arresting element of the primary roller, whereby rotation of the secondary roller in the second direction causes the primary roller to rotate in the second direction together with the secondary roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Dometic, LLC
    Inventor: Roberto Gutierrez
  • Patent number: 7735927
    Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly includes an anti-backlash mechanism in the seat adjustment gearing to reduce or eliminate gaps that cause looseness in the gearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Derek Lindsay
  • Patent number: 7735541
    Abstract: A sheet material tensioning apparatus includes frame members interconnected one with another to define a closed contour. The apparatus applies tension to sheet material by imposing a separation between frame members to expand the closed contour. Beneficially, the sheet material tensioning apparatus includes an edge-bridging mechanism, such as a spline, to span the gap between the separated frame members. The edge-bridging mechanism maintains the continuity of the edge supporting the sheet material. The sheet material apparatus may include a crossbar assembly to add rigidity to long frame members, while maintaining planar alignment even under considerable compression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Lucius Hudson, Inc.
    Inventor: Horacio Ocampo
  • Patent number: 7730923
    Abstract: An adjustable hanging apparatus for blind valances is provided. The hanging apparatus includes a hanging device and a mounting device. The hanging device has a hook, which can be slidably hooked over a headrail. In addition, a base of the hanging device has an opening. The opening is disposed with two resilient mounting plates, and each mounting plate has a plurality of troughs. A neck portion is formed therebetween the mounting plates. The mounting device has a joint portion, which can engage with the valance. Also, a jam portion passes through the neck portion and mounted therein. Positioning flanges can be engaged with the troughs of the mounting plates so as to limit the vertical movement of the mounting device, and the mounting device can be inserted through the opening in the vertical direction of any positions to adjust the valance to desired positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Niem Made Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: De-Jun Zhang
  • Patent number: 7721782
    Abstract: The arched window covering comprises a head rail that is mounted to an architectural feature. A mounting track is mounted to the arched architectural feature and a slider track is snap fit to the mounting track. The slider track includes support portions extending therefrom that slidably support a plurality of sliders such that the sliders can be moved relative to the slider track. The sliders are connected to a shade panel such that movement of the sliders on the slider track results in the extension and retraction of the shade panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Newell Window Furnishings, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick E. Foley, Brian B. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7703500
    Abstract: A bracket and head rail assembly is provided. A recess is formed at both ends of the upper portion of a head rail. The recess is sunken at both sides to form a first slot and a second slot. The bracket includes a body and a fastener, wherein a claw is extended from the body, and an elastic part is extended from the fastener and bears against the body, such that the fastener is slidably disposed in the body. When being assembled, the first and second slots are easily locked with the claw and the fastener, and alternatively, they are exchanged with each other for locking with the claw and the fastener respectively. Then, the head rail and the fastener are designed into a thin configuration, and then, formed by bending and processing sheets, so as to achieve the advantages of simple assembly, mass production, and nice appearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Nien Made Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Che Wen, Chih-Yao Chang
  • Patent number: 7686064
    Abstract: A motorized and manual clutch of curtain track, set on a curtain track, the curtain track is provided with a belt which is driven by motor and carrier hook parts which are used to hang curtain. The motorized and manual clutch is composed of a clutch body module and a clutch bar module, the clutch body module and said clutch bar module are detachably connected. A gap is provided on the belt, the clutch body module is set in the gap, connected with the belt and moved with the belt. The clutch bar module is set under the clutch body module connected with the carrier hook parts and moves the carrier hook parts. The application of the new practical motorized and manual clutch of curtain track solves the operation problem when power cut or breakdown motor or electrical circuit. It further improves the practical value of motorized curtain track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Shanghai Qing Ying Sun-Shading Technical Development Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Duanqing Gu
  • Patent number: 7686058
    Abstract: A curtain includes a top rail and a sheet of fabric having a top end connected to the top rail, a handle assembly is connected to a lower end of the sheet of fabric. The handle assembly includes two transverse bars received in the sheet of fabric and two upright bars which are removably connected to the transverse bars via connection members connected to the transverse bars from outside of the sheet of fabric. The upright bars can be separated from the transverse bars so that the curtain can be folded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Ching Feng Home Fashions Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Wen Ying Liang, Sheng Ying Hsu, Wu Chung Nien, Chien Chih Huang
  • Patent number: 7686059
    Abstract: A control system for a top down/bottom up covering for an architectural opening includes a head rail and an independently moveable bottom rail and middle rail. A shade material extends between the middle rail and the bottom rail and control systems are provided at opposite ends of the head rail for operating the middle rail independently of the bottom rail. Each control system includes lift spools associated with lift cords that are secured to the bottom rail or middle rail with the lift spools being seated in cradles and rotated by a drive shaft connected to manually operated control elements. Each drive shaft is operatively connected to a braking system in the form of a two-way clutch so the drive shafts can be rotated in either direction to raise or lower a bottom or middle rail, but locked in any selected position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.
    Inventors: Marek Jarosinski, Ralph G. Jelic, Paul F. Josephson, Daniel Fluckey, Ronald Holt
  • Patent number: 7681619
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an automatic window system consisting of a frame, two movable window casements, one on the outside and one on the inside of a building, and of a mechanism, which opens and closes the afore-mentioned window casements independently of each other. Glass panels having certain physical and optical properties may also be included, as well as a motor-driven blind and a rolled curtain, which together regulate the climate and temperature of the building. In one embodiment, the heat flow between the glass panels can be manipulated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Inventors: Filippo Ramin, Norbert Felderer
  • Patent number: 7673666
    Abstract: A modular window blind assembly includes a blind-mounting frame adapted to be mounted on a window/door frame and including two vertical frame members and two horizontal frame members, a pleated blind having top and bottom ends connected detachably and respectively to the horizontal frame members, and a slide mounted detachably between and slidable relative to the horizontal frame members. First and second positioning plates are provided respectively at two opposite ends of the pleated blind between the top and bottom ends of the same. The first positioning plate is connected detachably to one of the vertical frame members. The slide is connected detachably to the second positioning plate, and has a receiving space to receive substantially entirely the pleated blind when the pleated blind is folded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Top-Wind Enterprises Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chiu-Lan Fan
  • Patent number: 7669634
    Abstract: A horizontal-pulling roll screen door for which the right/left hand can be set or changed easily and safely even by a layman and in a screen door in which a net wound up by a winding shaft of a movable stile is made capable of opening/closing by horizontal pulling. First and second caps rotatably supporting the winding shaft are mounted at the both ends of the movable stile capable of replacement by each other. A lock mechanism which can hold a locked state as necessary is provided between a connecting cylindrical shaft connected to the winding shaft and an intermediate support member connected to the first or the second cap unrotatably and removably. Rotation of the winding shaft by an urging force of a winding spring is prevented by this lock mechanism even when the both caps are removed for assembling or change of the right/left hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignees: Seiki Juko Co., Ltd., Seiko Sogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Noboru Sugiyama, Takashi Moriya
  • Patent number: 7665503
    Abstract: A ladder drum is mounted in a head rail of a Venetian blind for securing a ladder cord thereto, and includes a drum body installed on a tilt bar of the blind. An upper portion of the drum body is formed into an open-topped recess, which has two sidewalls interconnected by an end wall. A holder set is provided in the recess, such that a clearance is existed between the holder set and each of the sidewalls and a limiting space between the holder set and the end wall for receiving a securing element therein. The securing element is a rectangular frame has a rear end turnably received in the limiting space and a front end releasably engaged with a front side of the holder set to thereby firmly press two free ends of the ladder cord in the drum body against the two sidewalls of the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Creative Minds Int'l Limited
    Inventor: Wei Maggie Liu
  • Patent number: 7650922
    Abstract: A window treatment for an arch-shaped window including a frame having an arch portion and a horizontal portion; at least one shade panel pivotally connected to a central portion of the horizontal portion of the frame; at least one channel formed on an inner surface of the arch portion, wherein the at least one channel forms a longitudinal slot on an inner surface thereof; and a chain at least partially housed within the at least one channel and moveable therein for effectuating arcuate movement of the at least one shade panel between an open and a closed position, wherein the chain is configured and dimensioned to move within the at least one channel without falling out of the longitudinal slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Inventor: Domenic Alberti
  • Patent number: 7637302
    Abstract: A mounting bracket for a covering for architectural openings such as windows, doors, archways, and the like, includes complementary components on the headrail and the mounting bracket to permit the head rail to be inserted into and automatically locked to the mounting bracket. A lock lever is provided with access forwardly of the head rail that automatically locks the head rail in position on the mounting bracket and conditions the mounting bracket for manual release of the headrail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.
    Inventors: Terrence M. Drew, James L. Miller
  • Patent number: 7624783
    Abstract: Disclosed is a curtain system for a side of a shelter for domestic animals, wherein the side is open except for an animal restraining grid and the curtain system. The system includes an elongated tube horizontally mounted outside the grid. The tube carries a shaft about which an elongated curtain is wound. A horizontally extending end of the curtain protrudes through a slot of the tube. A drive raises and lowers the tube relative to the grid and winds and unwinds the curtain to raise and lower the curtain relative to the grid. The raising and lowering of the tube are independent of the winding and unwinding of the curtain. A fixed cable keeps the tube and curtain proximate the grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Inventor: Luke G. Sensenig